I learned about confession at a young age.

I was at primary school and I had brought a packed lunch with me. There wasn’t much in it compared to some of the other children and I finished it quickly. So quickly that my friend asked me if I’d had anything at all! I said, no, someone had stolen my lunch.

This was a lie.

The word confession for me used to conjure up three things: memories of being a teenager listening to Usher; Katherine Zeta-Jones’ character in a confession booth with Zorro in the 1998 film; and watching murder mysteries where the culprit always comes clean by the final 5 minutes. What the Bible means by confession is something else entirely.

When we confess our sins to others, we will hopefully have some accountability, a bit of the burden will be lifted and we will be supported, it’s good. We also need to confess our sins to God, he will break the chains, forgive us and we can be in His presence, what we were made for.

Can you remember the first time you felt guilt for a sustained period of time? Aged 12, I was on holiday in Wales for a week with my extended family at a complex of cottages for the May half term break. Lots of sunshine, fun days out to various attractions in the local area, good food, and other people my age on site to hang out with. All this, and the excitement of becoming a teenager just around the corner. It should have been the perfect holiday, except I was harbouring a secret.

I remember as a child misbehaving and then hiding from my parents. I knew they knew what I’d done, but I hid in my room and shut the door because I didn’t want to admit to it…even though they already knew.

“But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23

Some of us will be familiar with the list of the fruit of the spirit but how often do we consider the last one; self control?

When I was at university I wanted to jump in with 2 feet. 

There was always something happening, something new to try, learn or do. Want to learn ballet, sure. Scuba diving, why not. Martial arts - what have I got to lose.

And by my first week I was up to my eyeballs in commitments - with musical theatre rehearsals, short film making, bands of various genres, and of course not forgetting my degree.

Don’t get me wrong. I loved it.   

Naively, I thought I was being clever with my time. I was being productive, socialising, and getting my work done…just about (if you count pulling an all-nighter every week for a term).

It was too much, my sleep went out the window. Caffeine became my best friend.

A Note of Sensitivity: For Those Affected by Eating Disorders

As we explore the topic of fasting in this post, we acknowledge that this may be a sensitive area for those who are journeying through or recovering from eating disorders or disordered eating. If you feel this content might be unhelpful for you, we encourage you to take care of yourself and seek support from trusted individuals or professionals.

A Note of Sensitivity: For Those Affected by Eating Disorders

As we explore the topic of fasting in this post, we acknowledge that this may be a sensitive area for those who are journeying through or recovering from eating disorders or disordered eating. If you feel this content might be unhelpful for you, we encourage you to take care of yourself and seek support from trusted individuals or professionals.

A Note of Sensitivity: For Those Affected by Eating Disorders

As we explore the topic of fasting in this post, we acknowledge that this may be a sensitive area for those who are journeying through or recovering from eating disorders or disordered eating. If you feel this content might be unhelpful for you, we encourage you to take care of yourself and seek support from trusted individuals or professionals.

A Note of Sensitivity: For Those Affected by Eating Disorders 

As we explore the topic of fasting in this post, we acknowledge that this may be a sensitive area for those who are journeying through or recovering from eating disorders or disordered eating. If you feel this content might be unhelpful for you, we encourage you to take care of yourself and seek support from trusted individuals or professionals.

A Note of Sensitivity: For Those Affected by Eating Disorders

As we explore the topic of fasting in this post, we acknowledge that this may be a sensitive area for those who are journeying through or recovering from eating disorders or disordered eating. If you feel this content might be unhelpful for you, we encourage you to take care of yourself and seek support from trusted individuals or professionals.

I’m a huge extrovert.

I love being around people, and you might assume that I hate being alone. But the truth is, I love it.

There’s something about silence that brings me peace. When I dial down the noise of the world, God’s voice seems louder.

Time alone is something of a rarity for me these days. I don’t even get this from my child when I’m in the bathroom! In the past though, I’ve had many periods of time alone, which I thought were instances of solitude. However, when I thought more deeply about solitude and researched it, I realised that being away from people is not necessarily solitude…

Growing up, my mum would often say

“If I sit still, I won’t get up again”.

She was (and still is) always on the go.

She’s always gone above and beyond to keep the household together, so much so that she was known for hardly ever being able to sit down with us and watch a film in its entirety.

She was often up and about throughout the film to either do the washing up or put the next load of laundry in the washing machine.

My dad, my sister and I would often get frustrated and say “can’t it wait until the end of the film?” then we’d shout into the kitchen,

“you’re missing the best part!”

We longed for her to be with us to share the experience and to sit still with us.

Back in January, I tried “Follow” and it suggested that I explore silence and solitude. Having procrastinated for six weeks, today, I decided to give it a go. Having disengaged from all things electrical – TV, phone, washing machine, the kettle and fridge, I found myself feeling increasingly agitated and anxious and well…

…naked.

In our busy lives, we all need to seek out moments of solitude to fully reflect on the majesty of Creation.

If we walk out our daily routines with more care and consideration and become intentional about space and time alone with Jesus;

we will encounter him as Creator God